where do you live...(p.29)

Past, present, or future?

I have heard this a hundred times, from hundred places, phrased a hundred ways…

The only time that truly matters is right now.

Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but right now.

The present.

There are scriptures, proverbs, quotes, authors, coaches, and counselors all saying the same thing in their own way, and I agree entirely.

But this week, I wondered WHY.

Why do I often resist the present?

What am I doing or not doing to avoid it?

I began by realizing I love the future. Its possibilities are endless. So, how best to be ready for the future than to plan for it?!

I love to plan. I love my yearly planner(s) AND calendars.

I would rather be planning my future than working on the steps to get there. yikes.

Why am I more of a planner than an implementer?

Why does the future hold endless dreams, yet I withhold steps today?

With each answer, I asked, "why."

Until a belief, a thought appeared that has silently ruled most of my years.

I am not smart enough or shortened to

I am not enough.

"You can try Bonnie, but you really do not have what it takes."

The beliefs we have told ourselves have a long history.

One that might have been spoken to us long ago or

A shield we picked up to protect ourselves from the arrows.

No matter the origin, this is not about fault finding. That is not important.

The most important thing is that we can name it. We can see it.

We cannot change what we do not see.

This week I realized I live in the future with all its potential, so I can avoid a long-ago thought that wasn't even my own.

How do I convince myself I am smart enough and have what it takes now?

I have proven that to myself repeatedly but have yet to give myself credit. The silent movie has been playing in the background for far too long.

This movie plays until we change it.

It's a thought that needs to be replaced with another.

How quickly can this happen? In an instant.

Once you name it, it loses much of its power.

The GREAT news is… nothing is holding us back; nothing is holding me back.

Our thoughts can be changed just...like…that.

Where do you live? ❤️